Nigeria and UNESCO Launch First Media Literacy Institute

On Wednesday, Nigeria, in collaboration with UNESCO, officially launched the world's first Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja. This landmark initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen media literacy and combat misinformation in an increasingly complex digital age.

The institute is recognized as the first UNESCO Category 2 institute globally dedicated solely to media and information literacy. Mariya Gabriel, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, emphasized the institute's role in transforming responses to modern challenges, ensuring access to reliable information, and empowering societies.

The IMILI is expected to serve as a global hub for research and innovation, providing training for policymakers, media professionals, and youth to engage critically with information and participate actively in democratic processes. The launch was commended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who acknowledged the strategic leadership of Minister of Information Moham Idri Malagi in advancing Nigeria's media literacy agenda.

The establishment of IMILI sends a strong signal of Nigeria's commitment to addressing digital age challenges and fostering international collaboration.